In the midst of the heartbreak, some solace can be found in the bravery and nobility of the human spirit.

There is never a good time for a disaster which is why our Virtual Giving Circles set aside a portion of our monthly donations just to help out in times like these. We’ve already researched a couple charities and will be making our final choice this weekend.

If you’re considering making a donation, consider these 3 tips…

1. Donate Cash.
In disaster after disaster, we see tons, literally tons, of donated goods that have to be thrown away when the immediate needs are past. The real problem with donated goods is there is no good way to ensure that only needed goods are received where they are needed. As a result, there is a lot of waste. Cash donations are the best way to support charities, because it let’s them get what they need, where they need it, and when they need it. Plus, they often have wholesale relationships with drug companies, hospitals, food banks, and private companies that all them to purchase goods at prices far below what we would pay.

2. Donate to Established Charities
Scammers after a disaster are such a problem that the U.S. Department of Justice created the National Center for Disaster Fraud just to investigate and prosecute these kinds of cases. Not donating to new charities and not donating to individual pleas for assistance is the easiest thing you can do to avoid getting scammed.

3. Donate Twice
In a disaster like this, there will be short term and long term needs. Make a donation right now to meet a short term need like food, water, shelter, diapers, clothing. But then make another donation to support the long term recovery. This disaster will cost billions and takes years to recover from.

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About Sharon

Throughout my life, I have donated to help animals, the environment, the homeless, the poor, the Food Bank, the Red Cross and more. You name it, and I’ve probably sent them money. Like many others in today’s economy, the few dollars I had left at the end of the month for philanthropy weren’t making a significant difference for the causes I cared most about– until I discovered the power of giving circles.

I'm dedicated to helping people make a big impact on the causes they care about most.

Quote

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Another Quote

Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them… he cried, “Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?” God said, “I did do something. I made you.” Sufi Teaching

Yet Another Quote

“What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.” John Ruskin